Sport Riding Techniques

Sport Riding Techniques

THE CW LIBRARY

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SPORT RIDING TECHNIQUES, CW Contributing Editor Nick lenatsch’s first book? The subtitle sums it up well: “How to develop real-world skills for speed, safety and confidence on the street and track.”

A longtime street rider and championship-winning roadracer, lenatsch addresses many subjects within this largeformat, soft-bound volume. Some are big-picture, such as group riding, urban survival skills and “The Pace:,” Nickspeak for safe and sane backroad blasts. Others are more detail-oriented, as in throttle-steering, trail-braking and weighting the footpegs. Throughout, lenatsch stresses the benefits of track-riding; most chapters conclude with “Lessons from the Racetrack,” tips gleaned from his years of closed-course competition. Lots of photographs and drawings illustrate the points, lenatsch acknowledges that modem sportbikes are incredible performers and a thrill to ride. But he’s quick to note that becoming a safer, smoother, faster rider takes effort: If you haven’t mastered the basics, never mind the advanced stuff, you shouldn’t be flirting with the limits, especially on the street. With its disciplined approach, this anecdote-laced book is a valuable resource for beginners and experts alike.

In penning the foreword, three-time 500cc World Champion Kenny Roberts writes, “This guy has worked hard on his riding and racing, and his book is a culmination of the attention he has paid to the techniques for success.” Deserving praise from someone who doesn’t dole it out all that often.

—Matthew Miles

Sport Riding Techniques, Nick lenatsch, 127 pages, $25; David Bull Publishing, 4250 E. CamelbackRd. #K150, Phoenix, AÍ 85018; 602/852-9500; www.bullpublishing.com